This is a Bouillabaisse based on The Cooking Channel recipe by Kelsey Nixon. We chose this one because of the interesting use of fennel and orange zest to add huge amounts of flavor complexity. We also liked her faux rouille, an aioli made from sour cream and mayonnaise. Ours has a great spicy taste and really adds to the bouillabaisse.
4 large scallops
8 oz Atlantic cod, cut into large pieces
4 oz halibut steak, cut into large pieces
12 littleneck clams
8 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
4 cups of fish stock or clam juice
4 oz fingerling or small Yukon gold potatoes, washed and cut to about 1-1 ½ inch size
1 of 14.5 oz canned crushed tomatoes
A pinch of saffron threads
½ C white wine
3 or 4 garlic cloves, skinned and minced
1 small fennel bulb, sliced thin and fronds reserved for garnish
1 red onion, sliced thin
2 T good olive oil
Aioli Substitute for Rouille:
¼ C sour cream
¼ C mayonnaise
2 T crushed garlic
1 T fish stock or clam juice
Juice of ½ lemon
1 t sweet paprika
1 pinch saffron
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Several grinds of black pepper
Garlic French bread, baguette or other dipping bread